Benfica's head coach Jose Mourinho(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United squad for the way they dealt with Alexander Isak going on strike last summer.

The Sweden international refused to play or train in order to win his £130m move to Liverpool leaving Newcastle short on a striker and then with limited time to find a replacement as the window ticked down. But the former Chelsea, Tottenham and Man United boss feels that Newcastle have recovered well from the Isak episode.

And pinpointed Nick Woltemade as a big threat to his Benfica team ahead of this evening's Champions League clash at St James' Park.

Mourinho said: "What happened with Isak in the summer is very difficult for a club and very difficult for a coach and very difficult for the fellow players.

"I think in the end everybody knows he is going to leave to Liverpool. But one thing is everybody knows he is going to leave, and another is it is done.

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